Eileen Harrington '82, Executive Director of the Federal Trade Commission, will retire at the end of this year. Pat Bak, who currently serves as Deputy Executive Director, will serve as Acting Executive Director. The Office of Executive Director is responsible for the administration and management of the Commission, including its human capital, information technology, financial management, administrative services, and legal document processing and records management activities.

Harrington has been Executive Director since November 2010, following 15 months as Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Small Business Administration. She previously served for 25 years at the FTC, starting as a staff attorney and assuming a variety of senior management positions in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, including Associate Director for Marketing Practices, Deputy Director, and Acting Director. Harrington received the prestigious Service to America Medal in 2004 for leading the team that created the National Do Not Call Registry.

"Eileen has made invaluable contributions to the FTC, not only in leading the Office of Executive Director, but also during her previous service to this agency. We will miss her strong management skills, her enthusiasm, her creativity, and, of course, her drive,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz.said, adding, "We are fortunate to have so many capable people at the FTC, and gratified that Pat Bak will serve as Acting Executive Director.”